Energy and Climate Transition. Introduction: Building Equitable Low-Carbon Futures

The energy and climate transition are one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time. It places the need to rethink development models, urban policies and design practices at the centre of the debate, in light of growing socio-environmental inequalities and pressures on urban and territorial systems. For this transition to be truly effective and inclusive, it must be based on an integrated approach combining technological innovation, urban regeneration and environmental sustainability to promote climate and energy justice, ensuring equitable access to resources, technologies and opportunities. At a global level, the Paris Agreement (2015) marked a significant step towards limiting the increase in the global average temperature by setting the goal of capping warming at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. This framework has stimulated a series of multilateral initiatives, culminating in IPCC reports and the adoption of international urban and climate agendas, such as the New Urban Agenda of Habitat III and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. These agendas urge cities and territories to play an active role in combatting climate change. Against this backdrop, the contributions presented in Session 3 explore strategies, tools and methodologies for navigating the energy and climate transition in a fair and sustainable manner. The proposals offer multidisciplinary perspectives capable of guiding transformative policies, critically addressing issues related to urban governance, environmental quality, energy efficiency in buildings and the role of green technologies.